Irad's Remarks About Khaleda

Show cause notice against Tanbir

Father, son declared 'unwanted' in Gazipur

Staff Correspondent

BNP Standing Committee has issued a show cause notice to its member Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky as his son made derogatory remarks about party chairperson Khaleda Zia and her senior party colleagues in his presence at a press conference on Monday.

The committee issued the notice on Tuesday asking Tanbir to explain within 72 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

Meanwhile, Gazipur BNP leaders yesterday demanded expulsion of Tanbir from the party. They also declared Tanbir and his son Chowdhury Irad Ahmed Siddiky 'unwanted' in the district.

On Tuesday night, the BNP standing committee took the decision of action against Tanbir in an urgent meeting at the chairperson's Gulshan office, with Khaleda in the chair. Tanbir was not present in the meeting.

"Irad Ahmed Siddiky's objectionable remarks against Khaleda in the presence of Tanbir were in breach of party discipline," party spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters.

The remarks have angered the party adherents. So, the standing committee has issued the show cause notice on Tanbir, he said, adding that the statements were not only motivated, but also defamatory.

At a press conference on Monday, Irad Ahmed Siddiky, a mayoral aspirant for Dhaka City Corportation, alleged that Khaleda demanded Tk 5 crore from him in exchange for party backing in the upcoming mayoral election.

His father Tanbir was present at the press briefing at his Gulshan home.

But on Tuesday, Tanbir termed his son's comments unfortunate and shocking.

"What Irad said about chairperson was his misperception. What he has said is not correct. I myself took him to madam [Khaleda]," he said at a press briefing at his office.

Protesting the remarks, Gazipur BNP leaders at a press conference yesterday demanded expulsion of Tanbir from the party.

Gazipur BNP president and former MP Hasanuddin Sarkar read out a written statement at the press conference held at the local party office.

Later, the leaders and activists took out a broom procession against Tanbir and his son.